Minutes:
The Bromley Fire Commander, (Chris Line) attended to provide an update from the London Fire Brigade.
The LFB Community Risk Management Plan had been launched on 1st January 2023. This was a statutory requirement and set out priorities for the whole of London. The Fire Commander had developed a Bromley Borough Risk Management Plan that focussed on the risks and needs of the Bromley Borough. The London Wide Plan was geared more for Central London.
The Fire Commander stated that the LFB were providing services or strategies in six key areas which were:
· Prevention
· Protection
· Response
· Engagement
· Preparedness
· Recovery
The Prevention Strategy would modernise the service, and give ease of access to online services to a wide audience. If a vulnerable person was notified to the Fire Service by partner agencies, then that individual would receive a visit from the Service within four hours. The next tier of individuals who were designated as being at relatively elevated risk, would be visited within seven days. Advice would be provided and fire alarms installed. It was anticipated that medium risk residents would use online tools. LFB provided various engagement services such as ‘Driven by Consequences’, where the dangers posed by drink driving, speeding and environmental factors would be highlighted. The LFB Borough Commander highlighted the work that was being undertaken with both the Bromley Mentoring Scheme and with the Fire Cadets. A Member stated that ‘Driven by Consequences’ should be rolled out to as many schools in the Borough as possible.
The Protection Strategy was prioritised by levels of risk, by directing resources to the highest risk premises—it aimed to:
• Improve information and support for premises owners
• Improve accessibility of information with digital and virtual tools
• Advise on planning and building regulations consultations
• Influence industry standards
• Develop LFB’s role in environmental protection.
It was noted that LFB had a statutory duty to support the new fire safety legislation. The Committee was informed that there was now a new high rise building data portal, where landlords who were responsible for high rise buildings were required to provide any information regarding fire safety defects on the portal. LFB would endeavour as far as possible to lobby to improve industry standards in this regard.
In terms of response times, the Committee was briefed that the first response time was 6 minutes, followed by a second fire engine within 8 minutes. A consultation was taking place regarding the attendance response to automatic fire alarms, which in many cases was not an effective use of LFB’s time and resources. The Fire Commander said that the Fire Service was keen to improve community engagement whenever possible. To this end, LFB would attend various community events and open days and welcomed feedback from the public, as well as endeavouring to provide reassurance to communities.
With respect to Prepare and Recovery Strategies, there was a need to prepare for flooding and very hot weather, with its associated likelihood of increased fire risk. It was the desire of the Fire Service that they did what they could to support families and communities who had suffered loss after either flooding or fire.
The Fire Commander said that he was keen that the Service would do the right things and that it needed to be accountable. He explained that there were various means by which the Fire Service could be held accountable for its activities and targets, including attending meetings like the Policy, Development and Scrutiny Committee, where the Fire Service could be scrutinised. There was also the Safer Bromley Partnership. He briefed the Committee that the London Fire Brigade Service’s corporate KPI's were published on the central LFB data store. This was part of the London Safety Plan. The Fire Commander said that community feedback was welcomed.
There was a discussion concerning whether or not sprinkler systems were compulsory in high rise blocks and in schools.
(Post Meeting Note):
Sprinklers in Blocks of Flats:
Currently, there is no requirement for existing buildings (that is, those built before 2007) to fit sprinklers.
In May 2020, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities published amendments to the Statutory Guidance in Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1, to state that sprinkler systems should be fitted throughout blocks of flats with a top storey more than 11m above ground level. In the majority of cases, therefore, sprinkler protection will be necessary in any newly formed accommodation that falls above the new 11m trigger height.
There was an enquiry about the all-terrain vehicle, and if there was a backup vehicle when it was being maintained or repaired. The Fire Commander responded that this was not the only piece of equipment that the fire brigade could use in difficult terrain. They had other equipment that they could use and had the benefit of ‘mutual aid’ if required. It was noted that LFB were also trialling lightweight protective equipment. The Portfolio Holder thanked the Fire Commander for his input and support in the Bromley Mentoring Programme. Members looked forward to a further update from LFB in 2024.
RESOLVED that the LFB update be noted.